Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have successfully dismantled a criminal syndicate responsible for a fabricated kidnapping, arresting five young suspects involved in the elaborate scheme.
How the Elaborate Hoax Unfolded
Smart detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad carried out the arrests on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The case originated from a viral video that showed a schoolboy pleading for mercy in what appeared to be a kidnappers' den, sparking significant concern among the public.
According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adebisi, the incident was first reported as a missing person's case at the Ago Palace Division on November 26, 2025. However, a subsequent, intelligence-led investigation revealed a shocking truth: the kidnapping was entirely staged.
The Mastermind and His Accomplices
Police investigations established that the alleged victim, 15-year-old Victor Aligwo, deliberately orchestrated his own kidnapping in collaboration with four friends. The group used the room of one of the cohorts, 19-year-old Umeh Victor, as the location for the fake kidnappers' den.
The other suspects arrested are Kosiko Patrick (17), David Odudu (19), and Anyabike Kingsley (20). They were apprehended on December 17 and 18, 2025, at the Volkswagen Roundabout and the Ago Palace area following diligent police work.
Motivation: Extortion Following a Windfall
The suspects conspired to stage the kidnapping with the clear intent of extorting money. Their target was the mother of Victor Aligwo, who had recently received the sum of Four Million Naira (N4,000,000) from a contribution.
To make the kidnapping appear real, the suspects recorded and circulated a distress video showing Victor Aligwo pleading for help. This video successfully created fear and panic within his family, pressuring them to pay a ransom.
The plan worked initially, as the mother paid a ransom of One Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N1.7 million) into an account provided by the fake kidnappers to secure her son's release. The money was later shared among the suspects.
The Police Crackdown and Recovery
The breakthrough in the case came when police operatives traced the Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal used for the ransom transaction. This critical lead directly resulted in the arrest of all individuals involved in the scheme.
The Commissioner of Police for Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has issued a stern warning to criminal elements to desist from all forms of crime within the state. He assured residents that the Command remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property.
The police have reassured the public that this incident was not a genuine kidnapping case and there is no cause for panic. Investigation into the matter is ongoing, and all suspects will be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Members of the public are encouraged to go about their lawful activities but to remain vigilant. Any suspicious acts or movements should be promptly reported to the Police through the Command’s emergency numbers: 0706 101 9374, 0806 515 4338, 0803 934 4870, or 0806 329 9264.
